Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity appoints two new directors

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) today announces two new appointments to its senior leadership team to help drive forward the organisations new and ambitious five-year strategy. Liz Tait, currently at Teenage Cancer Trust, will take up the post of Director of Fundraising and Bill Cunningham will join as Director of Finance and Resources from Plan International UK.

Louise Parkes, Chief Executive of GOSH Charity, said: “I am delighted that leaders of such calibre will be joining us at GOSH Charity. Liz and Bill bring with them a wealth of experience across fundraising, finance and resources, and their skills and expertise will be crucial in helping the organisation deliver on its new five-year strategy and the many other exciting opportunities we have on the horizon. Like other charities, the Coronavirus crisis has impacted on some of our fundraising activity but it has also provided new and innovative ways for us to fundraise at a time when the hospital needs our support more than ever. I am thrilled that we have attracted such talent to our senior leadership team to help us seize these new opportunities.”

The Director of Fundraising is a new role for GOSH Charity, and will be responsible for leading a broad range of fundraising functions with the remit to grow and diversify income to help deliver the greatest possible impact for seriously ill children who are cared for at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The Director of Finance and Resources will lead several of the support functions including finance, technology and governance and help ensure the charity continues to operate to the highest standards.

Liz Tait said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the team at GOSH Charity at such a critical time. The hospital is a much-loved national institution, and as a fundraiser I am so inspired at the thought of supporting the children, young people and families that it cares for. The sector is facing a challenging time with the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on fundraising, but I am looking forward to joining a fantastic team and I can’t wait to start working alongside them to meet this challenge.”

Bill Cunningham said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this new role at GOSH Charity. GOSH is a world-renowned organisation which has such a huge impact on the lives of seriously ill children from across the UK. I am really looking forward to getting started, and hope to bring my finance and commercial expertise to help the charity, both during these challenging times and beyond.”

Liz Tait has been a professional fundraiser for over 20 years, with roles at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the British Red Cross, Sense and Plan International UK.

As a qualified accountant Bill has over 25 years’ experience both in the commercial and charity sector. As Chief Operating Officer at Plan International UK he is responsible for Finance, IT, and Property and Facilities. Prior to this he was Financial Controller at Save the Children UK for three years and before that he was at British Airways for 11 years in various roles in the UK and overseas.

Both Liz and Bill will be joining GOSH Charity in September.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact the GOSH Charity press office on publicity@gosh.org

For genuine and urgent out-of-hours queries call switchboard on 020 7405 9200.

About Great Ormond Street Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity

Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals with the broadest range of dedicated, children’s healthcare specialists under one roof in the UK. The hospital’s pioneering research and treatment gives hope to children from across the UK with the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions. Our patients and families are central to everything we do – from the moment they come through the door and for as long as they need us.   

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity needs to raise money to support the hospital to give seriously ill children, the best chance for life. The charity funds research into pioneering new treatments for children, provides the most up to date medical equipment, funds support services for children and their families and supports the essential rebuilding and refurbishment of the hospital. You can help us to provide world class care for our patients and families. For more information visit www.gosh.org